I think I need this website, I'm new and not mechanically knowledgeable !!
 

Im in SA and I recently bought myself a Jag XJ6 4.2 Series III, '79. She needs some work and I want the work done, just worried about being taken for a financial ride, how do I explain what needs to be fixed and point the mechanic in the right direction (more for my benefit). I think the mechanic has the smarts I'm looking for, I'm just way behind.

At the moment I'm trying to figure out where the exhaust fumes are coming from as they are entering the cabin. I've thought of the seals around the boot, the exhaust may have whole or some rust. The exhaust pipes do seem to go far enough out from the rear of the car, but maybe the fumes are still being sucked in that way.

I'm open to any suggestions of information as to what maybe the cause, recommendations of mechanics and ideas of cost.

Cheers

That is a dangerous situation, and needs addressed immediately. Any good mechanic should be able to find that exhaust leak for you.

I live in the US. so can't recommend a mechanic. Cost of repairs would depend on what needs repaired.

Welcome again.

The fumes will almost certainly be the boot seals, but other areas of the exhaust system under the car can do the same thing.

Just sent you a PM, re other queries.

Lots of good spanner people around, but as said elsewhere, be cautious.

Thanks for the PM Grant.

Where do I find it lol. I've had a look in user CP, but no joy. I'm still finding my way around this forum.

Oh.

When you open the page, as in this one, at the top right hand side it has a small window with your name in it, and a "Welcome........ You last visited ......". There is a wording in "blue highlight" that says "Private messages", and a number will be there in bold black. Click on the highlighted words and the message should open??.

Hi, and welcome Charzam,

Like you, I live in the Adelaide suburbs. I have no mechanical skills whatsoever, and for that reason (among many) I always take my car to the number one Jag specialists in SA, Sovereign Auto Services in King William St, Kent Town. Quite honestly I wouldn't trust my car to anyone else, and I've been a regular customer of theirs for about 25 years.

They're not in the business to rip people off, if they were they wouldn't have stayed in business for so long. The boss, Geoff Mockford, will always take the time to explain exactly what your car's problems are and how best to fix them. And for the pre-loved cars he will always try to get second hand parts if that's what you prefer, so as to keep the cost down.

I don't have any vested interest in this, so don't think I'm telling you this for any personal gain. I simply have a lot of respect for those guys.

HTH, Dave.

Hi fellas,

Just dawdling through here . . . honestly, Officer . . . and I thought it prudent to chuck in my 2c in the hope it helps.

Many years ago, I lived in Sunraysia, so Adelaide was my "capital". Bought my S1 E-Type there and several other Jaguars. Came to know the place well; found great upholsterers/trimmers, service specialists, indies and plenty of good spanner twirlers.

So Charzam . . . let me add a huge welcome and then some advice. People are drawn to JaguarForums for a variety of reasons, but after several years of contributing to all the Aussie as well as International scenes, I have drawn some self-evident conclusions. Most, if not all of the Aussie Regional sections are overflowing with people like Dave [gimlet] who are happiest when sharing either knowledge, skills, experiences good & bad, huge improbable lies (definitely my field) and genuine friendship. Advice from your locals is priceless. Other Aussie state sections are full of similar ratbags (sorry) great resources.

So let me embarrass the backside off an exceptional mate of mine (mates do these things and get away with it) . . . Grant Francis. Grant has forgotten more than I will ever remember about things Jaguar and I have been at it for near 50 years. More to the point, he brings both integrity and honesty to the advice he offers. You chaps in SA/NT have an incredible resource sitting right at your backdoor step. Use him . . . and remember to say thanks, coz he's a poor, doddery, pretty well bugga'd ole bar steward who thinks we don't know how much his knowledge is valued and admired.

Here's my point (good grief Charlie Brown; he has a point) - I have just bought a "new" 2004 4.2L XK8 in preparation for my 70th birthday from Roadbend Motors (MD = Graham Percival) in WA; sight unseen (STOOPID) based on the dealer's representations (CERTIFIABLE) and knowing that mine is the 3rd he has sold under similar circumstances in the past week - the others were $100K+ each. This is my evidence of the "personal relationship" that Grant and Dave speak about. Build trust with your service people. Learn here what you can DIY - there's heaps!!! - and a good indie will respect that and help.

We have all started out with a first Jaguar - mine is in my avatar to continually remind me - newly married, child on the way, waking up to a midnight nightmare, wondering "Jaguar? What the hell have I done?"

Take heart, grasshopper, life's (and Jaguar's) mysteries will be revealed! Use the local Regional sections of JF for local knowledge. Use the model specific sections for expert advice on your MY and variant. Above all, have fun and share it around.

May the force (and Grant, Dave, and all the crew) be with you . . .

Cheers,
:icon_toast:
Ken

On a cold, wet morning in England it was a pleasure to read this thread from the sunny side of the World.

Graham

Quick, you fellas, grab him!!!

Graham [GGG] is another of those old, bold Jaguar nutters who knows more about the marque, its designs and engineering than most of us.

Often masquerading as a wannabee part-time Aussie (our gain, let me assure you), here is another of JaguarForum's great treasures of knowledge and practicality. He's also a MOD (which in 60s Beatles and Cilla Black vernacular, translates as a very fashionable MODERN type). He's also one of the very affable friendly crew who make these forums both entertaining and genuinely informative.

Hehe. That's 2 of my heroes I have managed to embarrass in one night!
Cheers,
:icon_toast:
Ken

Fair Dinkum, story teller extraordinaire.

Thanks for the compliments, fell off the crutches laughing at that scribe.

You will have to slip over to the REAL world, XJ-S, and compare notes with Orangeblossom in the UK. His stories are as entertaining as yours. He has been AWOL for some lame reason, refurbishing a cottage by candle light with his GF, HAHAHAHAHA, and he has been missed greatly also.

Ken,

Enough mischief. It must be past your bedtime! :icon_lol:

Graham

Hey Charzam,

On a far more practical, if less humorous note, make sure you pop over to the XJ site and ferret out all the docos, manuals you can.
Graham [GGG] has put a lot of effort into arranging all the resources for each Jaguar variant into some order that even we Aussies can understand.

Also, check out the resources that Gus has assembled at jagrepair.com. Gus is another very friendly and knowledgeable JF member, who will willingly point you to help.

Another very good mate of all here is fellow XJ6 owner Clarke [o1xjr] in Queensland who, like you and all of us at some stage, is learning by doing.

Best of all, of course, are the hundreds of threads, thousands of posts, that make up the XJ6/12 section. All sorts of technical questions and solutions. You can search by topic . . . or just skim through page after page until you find some nugget of info you want to explore. You will be amazed at what you learn.

So, don't hesitate; dive in and explore.
:icon_toast:
Ken

Learned a lot from this website, and looking forward to understanding more.